What is a .ARB file?
An ARB file, which stands for Application Resource Bundle, is a type of file used by developers who are creating Android applications with programming languages like Dart or frameworks like Flutter. The main purpose of an ARB file is to store localization strings. Localization strings are pieces of text that are used in the app, such as menu items, messages, and buttons. These strings are stored in different languages so that the app can display text in the language preferred by the user.
The content of an ARB file is usually written in a simple text format, which means it can be opened and edited with any basic text editor. However, to effectively work with ARB files, developers often use more specialized software tools that understand the structure of these files and can assist in managing the localization process more efficiently.
Some of the programs that can open and manage ARB files include: - **Microsoft Visual Studio Code**: This is a popular code editor that supports many programming languages including Dart and Flutter. It can be used to edit ARB files and also manage other aspects of Android app development. - **GitHub Atom**: Although this text editor has been discontinued, it was previously used for editing various types of code files, including ARB files. - **Dart and Flutter tools**: Since ARB files are specifically used in Dart and Flutter projects, the tools and libraries provided by Dart and Flutter can directly work with these files to manage localization. - **Any text editor**: Basic text editors like Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on macOS can open ARB files because they are essentially text files. However, these editors won't provide the advanced features that are helpful in managing localization. - **Chrome OS and Google Chrome**: These can open ARB files as they can handle simple text files, but like basic text editors, they lack advanced features for localization management.
In the development process, ARB files are eventually converted into .DART files. This conversion integrates the localization strings into the Dart source code of the app, allowing the app to use these strings to display text in different languages based on the user's settings. This process is crucial for creating apps that can be used globally, catering to users in different regions with different languages.
Verification
Our goal is to help people find the most up-to-date information about file extensions for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS. We researched over 10,000 file extensions and their respective programs that open those files. If you want to suggest edits or updates about .ARB file formats, example files, or programs that are compatible. Please contact us.